Analysis of geotechnical structures

Recommended Prerequisites

Soil Mechanics; Foundations; Engineering Geology.

Teaching Methods

Lectures (*)

Presentation of main concepts, principals and fundamental theories, by the use of audio-visual means. In addition, some application problems are solved.

(*)When the option is the tutorial mode, lectures are for discussion of subjects and support on the individual works.

Learning Outcomes

To expose students to advanced knowledge of methods of analysis of geotechnical structures, concepts of design methods and evaluation of safety, with the purpose of:
- provide the students with analysis tools for the design of geotechnical structures;
- develop skills for the practical use of the theoretical knowledge and for the adaptability to new situations;
- develop critical reasoning and ability to take decisions;
- encourage the autonomous learning and develop the skills to investigation.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Basic Concepts in Design of Geotechnical Structures
Soil-structure interaction; Soil massifs failure; Methods of analysis.
2. Limit Analysis and Equilibrium Analysis
Methods of limit analysis and equilibrium analysis; Applications to the calculus of the earth pressure, bearing capacity, slope stability and front stability in tunnelling.
3. Induced Soil Movements
Causes and consequences of the movements; Methods for the estimation of movements: empirical methods, analytical solutions and numerical methods; Damage criteria.
4. Safety in Geotechnics
General concepts for the safety evaluation; Uncertainties of the structural calculus; Coefficients for the variability of actions and strength; Methods of evaluation of safety: deterministic, semi-probabilistic and probabilistic. Theory of reliability; Safety regulations; Evaluation of safety using Eurocodes 1 and 7.
5. Instrumentation and Monitoring
Purposes; Quantities to measure; Measuring devices.

Assessment Methods

Continuous
Individual work with presentation and public discussion: 100.0%

Bibliography

Atkinson, J. (1993) - "An Introduction to the Mechanics of Soils and Foundations", McGraw Hill, London.

Lancellotta, R. (1995) - "Geotechnical Engineering", A.A. Balkema, Roterdam.

Chen, W.F.; Liu, X.L. (1990) – “Limit Analysis in Soil Mechanics”, Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Benjamim, J.R.; Cornell, C.A. (1970) - "Probability Statistics and Decision for Civil Engineering", McGraw Hill, London.

Magnan, J.P. (1982) - "Les Méthodes Statistiques et Probabilistes en Mécanique des Sols", Presses de l'Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, Paris.
Eurocódigos 1 e 7.
International scientific journals